LAND BASED TOURS
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Galapagos Kayaking Adventure, a tour designed especially for the paddling enthusiast
At this point in time, we are unable to operate our Galapagos Kayaking Adventure due to a recent ban on sea kayaking on several islands. We are still operating our popular Galapagos MultiSport Adventure, which includes sea kayaking, snorkeling, and many other active ways to explore the islands (click here for details).*
* Note: this interim ban is due to a complex political situation between the Galapagos National Park authorities and the Ecuadorian government and we anticipate policy change by the end of 2013 to again allow kayaking in all of our original sites.
Of our many Galapagos tours, this one is designed especially for the paddling enthusiast. It takes you by kayak through turquoise waters, along lava channels, blue lagoons, quiet coves and white sand beaches to discover the riches of this incredible archipelago. The ultimate in active adventure travel, this Galapagos kayaking tour offers fantastic snorkeling and opportunities to hike and scuba dive (on request) as well. Challenge yourself to the sporting experience of a lifetime in these legendary Enchanted Isles.
Itinerary for Galapagos Kayaking Adventure Tour
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Day 1 (Sat) QUITO or GUAYAQUIL
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Arrival and transfer to your Quito hotel. If arriving early, we can arrange optional tours to museums or other sightseeing. Arrival and transfer to your Quito hotel. If arriving early, we can arrange optional tours to museums or other sightseeing.
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2 (Sun) TRANSFER IN AND KAYAK IN SAN CRISTÓBAL
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You'll take a morning flight to San Cristóbal Island. After hotel check-in, the day gets started with an easy hike up nearby Frigate Hill where you'll get the lay of the land and take in a panoramic view of the island. In the afternoon, paddle around the island's volcanic shores to observe sea lions, marine turtles and many species of ocean birds, returning to tranquil Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for a relaxing evening. Overnight in a San Cristóbal hotel. (L)
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Day 3 (Mon) SAN CRISTÓBAL: ISLA LOBOS AND SNORKEL IN LEON DORMIDO
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Today paddle north following the coastline, observing boobies, terns, pelicans, frigatebirds and playful sea lions that follow along, a memorable sight of Galapagos tours. The destination is Isla Lobos, a small island near Playa Ochoa that forms a narrow stretch of calm turquoise water where marine turtles and rays make their home. Walk on the islet in search of its abundant birdlife, and after relaxing on Playa Ochoa, visit Roca Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), a prime snorkeling area filled with colorful sponges, barnacles, coral formations, dozens of tropical fish species and hammerhead sharks. Overnight at your San Cristóbal hotel. (B, L)
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Day 4 (Tue) SANTA CRUZ: DIVINE BAY AND PUNTA ESTRADA
Early in the morning, take a fast boat to Santa Cruz Island for a day of paddling around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada through multiple lava channels of calm, turquoise waters. White-tipped sharks and rays patrol the channels, while colonies of blue-footed boobies, tropicbirds, herons and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. The day ends by relaxing on the white sands of Tortuga Bay beach. Overnight in a Santa Cruz hotel. (B, L)
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Day 5 (Wed) SANTA CRUZ: ITABACA CHANNEL
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The first part of the day is spent on the northern part of Santa Cruz Island paddling the turquoise channels and exploring the white sand beaches that separate Santa Cruz from Baltra Island where you'll see sea lions, marine turtles and tropical fish. Then cross the island by car to reach El Chato Reserve, the natural habitat of the Galapagos tortoise and an essential place to visit on Galapagos tours, where you'll also observe many species of birds and other animals, and enter lava caves with unusual volcanic tunnel formations. Spend the night in Santa Cruz. (B, L)
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Day 6 (Thu) ISABELA: VILLAMIL BAY AND LAS TINTORERAS
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From Puerto Ayora, you'll board a fast boat for Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, the largest Island in the archipelago, formed when six shield volcanoes (Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf) merged. All but one of these volcanoes remains active, making Isabela one of the most volcanically-active places on Earth. Paddle in Villamil Bay in search of the area's unique wildlife, including penguins, sea lions, oyster catchers, marine turtles and white tip sharks, before going further through small islets to Las Tintoreras Trail where hundreds of marine iguanas, reef sharks, scenic beaches and lava formations can be seen. At day's end, you'll hike to La Galapaguera to observe the Galapagos giant tortoises that these islands are known for, and to some nearby lakes to look for flamingos, oyster catchers, stilts, and sun pipers. Overnight in an Isabela Island hotel. (B, L, D)
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Day 7 (Fri) ISABELA: LAVA BRIDGES
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Today you'll take a motorized boat north of Puerto Villamil along the scenic coastline to observe the area's rich marine life. Continue by kayak around coves, islets and mangroves, home to the elusive Galapagos penguin, and see egrets, herons, pelicans, and other species. Today's highlight is an area unique in the world for paddling and snorkeling: the calm water pools around an underwater lava bridge, tunnel formations and a collapsed lava floor. Overnight again on Isabela Island as your Galapagos tours wind down. (B, L, D)
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Day 8 (Sat) SANTA CRUZ - QUITO or GUAYAQUIL
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In the morning, transfer to Santa Cruz Island with time to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station before transferring to the Baltra Island airport for the flight back to Quito. Upon arriving in the capital, transfer to your hotel. (B)
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Day 9 (Sun) QUITO or GUAYAQUIL - HOME
Transfer to the airport for the international departure home, marking the end of Southern Explorations services and your Galapagos tours. If you are interested in more Galapagos tours, trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Quito, we can make these arrangements. (B)
View Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
CONTACT US
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
2013 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
TBD
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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Bilingual english speaking naturalist guide
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All land and sea transportation during the itinerary
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All hotel accommodations in first class and tourist superior hotels *including continental breakfasts (on a twin share basis)
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All meals as noted
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Snorkeling gear
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Sea transportation
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Excluded in tour cost
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International round-trip airfare travel to and from Ecuador
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Domestic Airfare:
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Quito / Galapagos / Quito: $460/$505
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Guayaquil / Galapagos / Guayaquil: $415/$460
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Low Season: Jan 16 - June 15 / Sept 15 - Nov 30
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High Season: June 16 - Sept 14 / Dec 1 - Jan 15
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Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park (100 USD)
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Hiking boots and other necessary sports gear
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Wetsuit rental ($35 per week), recommended during May - November
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Lunches and dinners in the cities (unless otherwise specified)
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Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical or travel insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc.).
PHYSICAL RATING
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Moderate - Strenuous
GALAPAGOS ACCOMMODATION
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Galapagos Kayaking Adventure:
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9 nights hotels
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $375
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Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3.5% cash discount
At this point in time, we are unable to operate our Galapagos Kayaking Adventure due to a recent ban on sea kayaking on several islands. We are still operating our popular Galapagos MultiSport Adventure, which includes sea kayaking, snorkeling, and many other active ways to explore the islands (click here for details).*
Today paddle north following the coastline, observing boobies, terns, pelicans, frigatebirds and playful sea lions that follow along, a memorable sight of Galapagos tours. The destination is Isla Lobos, a small island near Playa Ochoa that forms a narrow stretch of calm turquoise water where marine turtles and rays make their home. Walk on the islet in search of its abundant birdlife, and after relaxing on Playa Ochoa, visit Roca Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), a prime snorkeling area filled with colorful sponges, barnacles, coral formations, dozens of tropical fish species and hammerhead sharks. Overnight at your San Cristóbal hotel. (B, L)
The first part of the day is spent on the northern part of Santa Cruz Island paddling the turquoise channels and exploring the white sand beaches that separate Santa Cruz from Baltra Island where you'll see sea lions, marine turtles and tropical fish. Then cross the island by car to reach El Chato Reserve, the natural habitat of the Galapagos tortoise and an essential place to visit on Galapagos tours, where you'll also observe many species of birds and other animals, and enter lava caves with unusual volcanic tunnel formations. Spend the night in Santa Cruz. (B, L)
Today you'll take a motorized boat north of Puerto Villamil along the scenic coastline to observe the area's rich marine life. Continue by kayak around coves, islets and mangroves, home to the elusive Galapagos penguin, and see egrets, herons, pelicans, and other species. Today's highlight is an area unique in the world for paddling and snorkeling: the calm water pools around an underwater lava bridge, tunnel formations and a collapsed lava floor. Overnight again on Isabela Island as your Galapagos tours wind down. (B, L, D)
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